Personal Politics
"Hoping for a Heath win. Otherwise we're in a bad fix indeed."
Journal of Foreign Secretary Roy Jenkins, 20 May
"During the 1974 contest, the difference was as much personality as ideology. Heath was perceived as an imperial leader who neglected the feelings of his caucus, even the 1922 Committee. Privately he regarded them as ambitious has-beens, "expired cabinet material" to be precise. Whereas Robert Kennedy was warm, friendly, attentive to his fellow Members and often solicited others' opinion. Kennedy had many friends on the 1922 Committee and in caucus, including the Chairman, Edward du Cannes. Nor did he hesitate to use them."
20th Century Conservative Party, Sir Martin Gilbert, 2006
"The rules correlated more to Vietnam than Christmas 1914, and it was mutual. Within the bounds of legality of course."
In the Arena, Robert Kennedy, 1996
"Vote next week, completely confident in victory. No more than 20 or 25, but that's enough."
Robert's journal, 3 June
"We have been seriously concerned over the state of our beloved party over these past few years. I urge all Conservative Members to vote their conscience."
"Magic Circle", Harold Macmillan, Rab Butler, Sir Alec Douglas-Home
Conservative leadership ballot, 11 Jun
"Speed it up Ed. This shouldn't take more than ninety minutes."
- Robert to 1922 Chairman Edward du Cannes
1st ballot- 263 votes
Robert Kennedy: 157
Edward Heath: 106
Majority: 25
"Having received more than 50% of all votes on the first ballot, I hereby proclaim Robert F. Kennedy the new Leader of the Conservative Party! Now we will hear Sir Robert's acceptance speech."
- Ed du Cannes announcing final results.
"That little bastard."
- Ted Heath on hearing the results
"This is BBC Breaking News, Robert Kennedy has just been elected Conservative Leader and Leader of the Opposition. He beat Ted Heath by twenty-five votes on the first and only ballot. Let's listen to his speech."
"I enthusiastically accept the honour of leading this great party. There is a choice to be made, between the forces of unfettered statism and the forces of Conservatism. Previously, we have heard the word "containment" ad infinitum. Working within the ever-elusive "consensus". I say, why not forge a new consensus, and let us begin the next stage: ROLLBACK. We must sweep aside the stranglehold of suffocating statism..."
- Robert Kennedy's leadership acceptance speech, 11 June 1974
After an inaugural caucus meeting the following day, Willie Whitelaw was appointed House Leader and shadow Home Secretary, with a reshuffle of the Shadow Cabinet, including Francis Pym as shadow Defence Secretary. In the Lords, Robert asked Lord Carrington to serve as shadow Foreign Secretary.
"My plan is simple. All the people in senior portfolios are eminences grises, therefore there won't be overtly ambitious souls making mischief. I've pegged Heseltine as a potential troublemaker. He might get Health, because I have others in mind for Employment and Education."
- Robert's journal, 26 September
"When Wilson was Prime Minister for the second time, Prime Minister's Questions on Tuesdays and Thursdays obtained record viewership by the standards of the day. Repartee was mostly humourous and calm. That would not be the case further down the road."
- British Conservatives in the 20th Century, Sir Martin Gilbert, 2006
"Enroute to India to meet Mrs Gandhi, tour Delhi & Mumbai, almost a mini-vacation. M's got an important case before the H.C. tomorrow, therefore she can't come. Don't know if she'd enjoy this in any case. No journalists are with me, which is perfect. I don't want this ruined by some arsehole asking about the sterilization program."
Robert's journal, 9 October
"Productive talks with Mrs Gandhi across the board, ranging from Indo-American relations, UK-India, the WP situation, and much more. Warned her that action will be taken if one of our companies is involved in Sanjay's rackets. He cannot be allowed to succeed her, and I think she understands this."
- Robert's journal, 13 October
"Mumbai business luncheon went swimmingly. They want someone with whom they can do business, but clearly want a Tory govt. to implement a FTA."
Robert's journal, 15 October
"Great Xmas as usual. Got the keys to a blue Jag from M. and other assorted things. I've sent cards to many MPs wishing them a Merry Xmas, and got one from the PM as well."
Robert's journal, 27 December
The winter of 1975 was relatively uneventful, as South Vietnam prepared to hold its third presidential election. Finally, Prime Minister Ky would oppose President Thieu's bid for a third term.
DELHI
"Been increasingly worried over Sanjay's activities. Had to order a halt to the demolition downtown because historical neighbourhoods were being destroyed. I've gotten the family-planning program under control, but there's so much to do in a day..."
Diary of Indira Gandhi, Feb. 4, 1975
Feb. 26- BNOC CREATED, COMPANY BEGINS OPS JAN.1
HANSARD- 10/03/75
SPEAKER: The Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister.
PRIME MINISTER WILSON: This proposed inheritance tax will only apply to those earning over £100,000, which combined with our closing of the loopholes in the estate tax legislation, will substantially increase taxation revenues over the next three years.
SPEAKER: The Rt. Hon. Leader of the Opposition.
ROBERT KENNEDY: These additional tax burdens would not be necessary if the Government could control domestic spending. We have had the Christmas £10 bonuses, an additional Crown corporation in the form of BNOC, and now increased expenses on pensions. Unfortunately the figures show a £250 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year."
PRIME MINISTER WILSON: In addition to being indebted to our creditors, we are indebted to our senior citizens, which is why the Government has tabled the proposed pension increase.
ROBERT KENNEDY: "Might I remind the Prime Minister that we are also indebted to future generations, increasingly so after this most recent budget..."
END OF TRANSCRIPT
DELHI- 12/06/75
"Judgement for the plaintiff. The Prime Minister, Mrs Indira Gandhi, is hereby banned from political activity for five years, and her election as the Member of Parliament from Rae Bareilly is declared null and void. Mrs Gandhi must vacate her Lok Sabha seat, and the Congress Party must make alternative leadership arrangements in the interim."
-Verdict of Allahabad High Court
June 25- PM DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY, MISA INVOKED
"Been busy on the BBQ circuit these last weeks. Somehow seems more enjoyable than last year. Concerns over rising prices predominate voters' concerns."
Robert's journal, 23 July
Sept. 5- SAIGON GOES TO THE POLLS, TURNOUT REPORTEDLY MEDIUM
South Vietnamese Presidential election, 1975
Nguyen Van Thieu (I): 46.8%
Nguyen Cao Ky: 44.2%
Duong Van Minh: 10%
Runoff
Nguyen Van Thieu: 50.8%
Nguyen Cao Ky: 49.2%
Incumbent President: Nguyen Van Thieu
Nov. 11- WHITLAM DISMISSED, OZ GOES TO POLLS DEC. 12
Nov. 20: "Happy birthday to me. M gave me the keys to a factory-fresh blue Jag today. Great family reunion. Turning 50 quite different from 40 ten years ago."
- Robert's journal
Jan. 7, 1976: INDIAN PARL'T DISSOLVED, GO TO POLLS MAR. 4
"My time has nearly come, though if we want it in the news it'll have to wait till after the Indian election."
Journal of Harold Wilson, 10 Feb.
Indian federal election, 1976
542 Lok Sabha seats
Congress: 353 seats (+6)
Janata: 189 seats
Amethi
Sanjay Gandhi (INC): 73,667
Incumbent Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi (INC)
Mar. 12: PM WILSON RESIGNS, LABOUR BALLOTING TOMORROW
Labour leadership ballot, 1976
361 votes
1st round
Michael Foot: 165
James Callaghan: 147
Roy Jenkins: 49
2nd round
Michael Foot: 200
James Callaghan: 161
FOOT NEW PM, TO BE SWORN IN TOMORROW
"We just won the next election yesterday, though I'll have to wait to move into No. 10..."
Robert's journal, 14 March
Until the next posting...